Shank support and protector for boots and shoes



(N0 Model.)

B. P. HADLEY 8v T. JOYCE. Shank Support and Protector for Boots and Shoes.

No. 234,030. Patented Nov. 2,1880.

WITNESSES I INVENTOR G. W fiflm BY Xw K 0e ATTORNEYS.

NJEI'ERS PEOTO-LITHOGRAPMER, WASHINGTON. D, C.

NITED STATES PATENT QFFICEO EDSON P. HADLEY, OF SHELBURNE FALLS, AND THOMAS J OYOE, OF BUOKLAND; SAID JOYCE ASSIGNOR TO MANSON D. HAWES, OF

LEOMINSTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

SHANK SUPPORT AND PROTECTOR FOR BOOTS AND SHOES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 234,030, dated November 2, 1880.

Application filed August 23, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, EDsoN P. HADLEY, of Shelburne Falls, in the county of Franklin and State of Massachusetts, and THOMAS J OYGE, of Buckland, in said county, have invented a new and useful and Improved Shank Support and Protector for Boots and Shoes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The object of this invention is to prevent the boot or shoe from ripping at the shank, and by protecting the shank to prevent it from being out or worn by shoveling, spading, or any pedal labor, or from being burned when the wearer rests his foot on the cope of the grate or stove for warming; also, to preventthe heel of the boot or shoe from being accidentally broken ofl, and to prevent a shovel or spade from slipping on the boot or shoe in any pedal labor.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device in place on a boot. Fig. 2 is a plan of the outer face of the same. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A represents the shank protector and support, consisting of a curved plate irregularly shaped to conform with the shank of the shoe B, and provided with screw-holes it along its sides and ends, through which are introduced the nails or screws b that secure it to the said shoe B, and provided, also, with a corrugated bar, A, crossing the central opening, a, from the rear bar, a, to the front bar, a, for the purpose of strengthening the said device and for a protection against slipping. On the edge of the bar a is a downward-projecting flange, h, that engages closely in the angle formed by the shank and heel of the shoe B, and thereby strengthens and protects said heel B against blows from the front.

The side bars, (1 d, of the protector A have curvedoutlines to conform with the outlines of the shank of the boot or shoe, the side bar, 11, having a longer curve than the bar 11, and being designed to fit along the inner curve of the said boot or shoe shank.

The invention consists in the application of a plate of metal or other rigid material to the arch of the sole of a boot or shoe which comes under the instep of the wearer, which plate bears upon the sole with a surface or bearing wide enough to support the leather of the sole and prevent it from twisting or bending, and provided with a central corrugated bar.

The sole is further prevented from twisting and the sole and heel kept level in wear by the cutting away of the tap-sole and the fitting of one side of the plate to it, while the other opposite side of the plate bears against the heel. This plate may be of any shape, the material above it being fitted in or cut away to fit it; but the advantage of the curved form shown fitting the exterior curves of the sole is that it may be made or cast in that shape without extra cost, and will then fit without change of sole. This plate is affixed to the exterior surface of the sole, because it can be made suitable therefor and aflixed to boots and shoes after they are made, also because it protects the sole, enables the addition of corrugations for the purpose described, and furnishes a rigid basis through which screws or nails to be headed or clinched may pass and fasten the sole and upper firmly together and to the plate by passing through them.

The plate may be cut away, as shown at 0, to save metal and secure lightness, making it a frame, the bars d d being sufficient for strength, and, being on the outer edges of the heel, they stop the shovel on a more natural place on the shoe or boot to have the foot exertits full force. One face would be sufficient, though the taking hold of the shovel by the boot or shoe is made surer and quicker by many. A flange, h, is fitted to the heel to protect it. It may be extended to the face or wearing-surface of the heel to prevent it from Wearing down or to carry a projection to prevent slipping on ice.

The twisting of the boot or shoe shank rips the side seams, draws the shank-pegs, breaks down the counter, and causes the heel to run over. This twisting is prevented by the supportaud protector A. By preservingthe curve of a boot-shank it maintains the level of sole and heel, so that the boot will wear out evenly, never running over heel or counter.

These supports and protectors are preferably made of malleable iron, and can be bent to fit any boot or shoe snugly, and may be 

